Laundry apparatus



June 30, 1953 F. w. GRANTHAM 2,643,463

LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 30, 1953 F.w. GRANTHAM 2,643,463

LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1948 5 shee'ts-sneet 2 H lO INVENTOR.Fee-059m? d 6em/WMM ff'' BY www 107' TOE/VE V June 30, 1953 F. w.GRANTHAM LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 30,1953 F. w. GRANTHAM LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1948 l 5Sheets-Sheet 5 v,'204 2s 26 202 goa,

u $1 j m m u/ 5 who k v s Q 4 l 5 2 5 I l m/v- 6 u w we M n n o ff n 2 Qm \o 10 m v m m .m m a R Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE LAUNDRY APPARATUSA Frederick W. Grantham, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 11, 1948, Serial No. 64,853

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to: laundry apparatus, and is moreparticularly directed to laundry apparatus of the tumbler type.

An object of the present invention is. to facilitate the unloading oflaundry from laundry apparatus of the tumbler type.

Another object of the invention is toI continue the tumbling actionduring unloading of the laundry apparatus in such manner as toy insurecomplete removal of the laundry from the equipment.

Still another object of the invention is to change the tumbling cycle ofthe tumbler When the apparatus is shifted toward unloading position. Thetumbling cycle is preferably reduced in extent under the statedconditions.

A further object of the invention is tol provide laundry apparatus whichcan be tilted toi various positions, in order to; place the apparatus inloications that are conducive to eicient loading and unloading of thelaundry, as Well as the performance of the required operations on thelaundry in the apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is toi provide laundry apparatus ofthe tumbler type having a tiltable outer drum or housing, in which theposition of the outer drum cr housing determines the manner in which theapparatus operates.

A further object of the invention is to provide a laundry dryer of thetumbler type, in which shifting of the dryer toward unloading positionautomatically discontinues the application of heat to the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to: provide a. laundry dryer whichassures that heat cannot be applied toy the laundry in the dryer untilair in adequate quantities is being passed through the dryer.

Yet a further object o-f the invention is toinsure that heat cannot beapplied to the laundry in the dryer unless the tumbler is being rotatedin alternate directions.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of severalforms in which it may be embodied. These forms are shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. They willnow be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thesco-pe of the invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring tothe drawings:

Figure l is a pictorial, perspective View of a laundry drying apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, With theouter tiltable drum or housing in position for the performance of thedrying operation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of the apparatus in its unloading andloading positions;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 4-4 on Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5 5 on Fig. 4; l

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, of the inner drum ortumbler;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of part of the inner tumbler;

Fig. 8 is a section on a reduced scale, taken along the line 8 8 onFig.`5;

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 9 9 on Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional `and elevational vieW illustratingthe inlet portion for the heating medium to be passed through the dryer;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section illustrating a m-odied form of closurefor the apparatus;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the control circuit for the laundrydryer;

Fig. 13 is a section, on a reduced scale, taken along the line |3-l3 onFig. 4;

Fig. 14 is a pictorial, perspective view of the apparatus embodyinganother form of closure; and

Fig. 15 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of the apparatus shownin Fig. 14, coupled with a control system for automatically operatingthe closure.

The apparatusis disclosed in the drawings as a laundry dryer. It is tobe understood, however, that certain aspects of the invention areapplicable tc other types of laundry equipment.

The laundry dryer includes a suitable frame or support l!) havingvertical standards I capable of pivotally supporting the outer drum orhousing I2 of the mechanism. Such pivotal support may be provided byopposed coaxial trunnions I3 secured to the opposite side Walls lli ofthe outer housing and rotatably mounted in bearings l5 within the framestandards. Tilting of the outer drum or housing l2 to several positions,for the purposes to be described hereinafter, may be accomplished by adouble acting pneumatic motor I6, including a cylinder Il Whose lowerend is mounted on a pivot pin I8 suitably supported in the frame HJ(Fig. 4). A piston i9 is slidable within the cylinder and has a rod .2Qsecured to it, Which is connected to a bracket 2| at the rear of theouter drum I2 by a suitable pin 22. The intake and discharge of air forboth the head end and rod end of the cylinder I1 can take place throughsuitable air conduits 23 under the control of a suitable manuallyoperated valve 24 of known design.

Normally, the apparatus occupies the position L lustrated in Figs. 1, 2and 4, in which the drying operation takes place on the laundry in theapparatus. Upon entry of air through the lower conduit 23, the piston I9is moved upwardly to tilt the outer drum or housing I2 to the positionillustrated in Fig. 3, in which the laundry may be unloaded from orloaded in an inner drum or tumbler 25.

The inner drum or tumbler 25 is rotatably mounted within the outer drumI2 about an axis which is substantially at right angles to the pivotalaxis of the latter. The tumbler 25 may consist of a tapered front wall26 terminating in a forward opening 21, to permit ingress and egress oflaundry into the tumbler, a rear wall 28 extending transversely of itsrotational axis, and an intervening perforated cylindrical portion 29interconnecting the front and rear walls in spaced relation. Thecylindrical perforated portion 29 may be constituted by longitudinallyextending straps 30 suitably secured to the front andl rear walls 26, 28at spaced intervals around the periphery of the tumbler. A screen orperforated cylinder 3| extends between the front and rear walls and issuitably secured to the latter andA to the straps (Fig. 6). In addition,a plurality of radially extending vanes 32 are provided atcircumferentially spaced intervals around the inner drum 25, projectinginwardly to a certain extent, so as to impart the tumbling action on thelaundry in the drum 25 during its rotation.

The perforated inner drum 25 is provided toy allow a heating medium,such as hot gases (including air), to pass through the laundry that isbeing tumbled in the drum, to effect drying of the latter.

In order to rotate the inner drum 25 alternately in opposite directions,its rear portion is suitably secured to a shaft 33 coaxial with thedrum, which extends through a partition 34 extending across the outerhousing I2 at right angles to the shaft. This partition divides theouter housing into a tumbler containing portion 35 and a portion 36housing the drum reverse drive mechanism 31.

The drum shaft 33 is rotatably supported in spaced bearings 38 restingupon a platform 39 extending between the partition 34 and the rear wall40 of the outer housing. This shaft is rotated by a B-phasereversibleinduction motor 4| through suitable reduction gearing. gearing includesa suitable variable speed transmission 42 driving a pinion 43 meshingwith a gear 44 affixed to the drum shaft 33 between the bearingsupports. The transmission ratio of the variable speed portion 42 of thegear device can be changed to effect rotation of the inner drum 25 atthe desired speed.

In addition to being supported by the shaft 33, the drum 25 is alsorotatably supported upon a plurality of rollers 200, 20| adapted to rideupon the drum rim 30h disposed to one side and forwardly of itsperforated portion 29. These rollers are located below the drum 25 andon opposite sides of a vertical supporting and baffle plate 202. One ofthe rollers 200 is rotatably mounted upon a bracket 203 secured to theplate 202, affixed to brackets 204, which are, in turn, attached toThisY the outer housing I2. One or more other rollers 20| are alsorotatably supported upon the plate 202. As shown most clearly in Fig.13, a pair of other rollers are contactable with the drum rim 30h. Theyare rotatably carried on opposite ends of an arm 205 mounted upon a pinor stub shaft 206 secured to the plate 202. This arrangement permits thearm 20'5 to pivot on the stub shaft 206, and insures proper contact ofat least one of the rollers 20| with the drum.

It is thus apparent that the rear end of the inner drum 25 is supportedby the shaft 33, and that the forward portion of the drum is supportedupon the spaced rollers 200, 20|.

The plate 202 extends across the outer housing I2, snugly engaging itsside walls I4 and also its top and bottom. This plate is located inclose proximity to the drum rim and acts as a baffle, preventing passageof the hot gases forwardly toward the opening 49 of the housing.

The tumbler opening 21 is closed by a suitableI inner door 45 adapted toengage the forward end of the tapered drum wall 26. This door isrotatably mounted on a bearing pin 45 xed to an ann- 4! mounted on apivot pin 48 suitably supported in the upper portion of the outerhousing I2. The outer housing has a forward opening 49 larger than theinner drum opening 21 and coaxial therewith, which is closed by anon-rotatable outer door 50 mounted on the bearing pin 46. The doors arelocked in closed position by a suitable latch 5I pivotally mounted onthe lower end of the arm 41 and adapted to extend through a housingopening 5Ia for engagement with a hook 52 extending inwardly fromthe'outer housing I2.

Elevation of the latch 5| releases it from the hook 52 and permits thedoors 45, 50 and the supporting arm 41 to be swung upwardly to fullyopen position, as shown in Fig. 3. Such door opening may be effected byattaching the lower end of a rope or cable 53 to the outer end of thebearing pin 46 and by extending this rope or cable over a pulley 54.mounted on the upper portion of the arm 41, and into a suitable windingdevice 55 mounted on top of the housing I2. This winding device 55 maybe of the type that is spring actuated, always tending to lift the rope53 and the closure members 45, 50 to fully open position, and to holdthem in such position. The closure members can be swung downwardly toclosed position manually against the force of the spring winding device,and will be retained in closed position by the latch and hook elements5|, 52.

A modified form of closure device is shown in Fig. 11. Instead of twodoors, only a single closure is utilized. The forward end 56 of the drumwall 26a extends through the housing opening 49 and terminates in anoutwardly directed flange 51 in advance of the-front Wall 58 of thehousing. This flange is preferably closely adjacent the wall 58 toprevent leakage of any heating medium from the housing I2. The drumopening 21a is closed by a closure member 45a rotatably mounted on abearing pin 46a fixed to the supporting arm 41.

When the door 45a is in closed position against the flange 51, itrotates with the inner drum 25. The laundry cannot move out through theopening 21a, nor can it become caught between the drum 25 and outerhousing I2.

It is to be noted that the mounting of the drum 25 for rotation about anaxis at right angles to the tilting axis of the outer housing I2, andthe alignment of the closures 45, 45a with the shaft axis, renders itunnecessary to align the drum 25 with the housing opening 49 for loadingand unloading purposes. The drum 25 may be stopped at any position, orit may continue its rotation, and its opening will always be in properposition for loading and unloading when the closure members are opened.

The wet or damp laundry is inserted in the tumbler 25, and is driedwhile rotating the tumbler alternately in opposite directions by forcinga mixture of hot products yof combustion and air through the tumbler.The heat necessary for drying is supplied by gas flowing through a maingas line 60 into a mixing chamber 60a, (Fig 10), where it admixes withthe air necessary for combustion, supplied by a blower 63 driven by a 3-phase electric motor 64. The comingled air and gas are forced through aburner 6I into a combustion chamber 62 to provide the necessary flameand heat at the main burner 6I.

The products of combustion pass outwardly from the combustion chamber 62through an inlet conduit or duct 65 discharging through an opening 66(Fig. 8) in the frame standard II into an inlet opening 61 at the top ofthe outer housing I2. In order to reduce the temperature oi the gases tothe desired degree, a secondary air inlet opening 68 is provided in theinlet duct E5 beyond the combustion chamber 62, which will allowsecondary air to comingle with the products of combustion.

The hot gases enter the housing inlet 61 and are directed to a locationat the upper end of the inner drum or tumbler 25. The gases are confinedfor travel to this latter point by providing a suitable arcuate shield69 around and adjacent the drum 25, which extends from a side wall I4 ofthe outer housing I2 and between its rear portion and the forwardportion. The upper end of this shield forms a longitudinally extendedopening IB with a baille 'II secured to the outer housing and extendinglengthwise of the drum 25, so as to enable the hot gases to be directeddownwardly through the perforations into the interior of the inner drum.In a similar fashion, a lower arcuate shield 'I2 is provided around thedrum 25, cooperating with a lower extended baffle 'I3 to form an exhaustopening I4 through which the gases, and moisture evaporated from the wetlaundry, can pass through an outlet or discharge opening I5 in the sidewall I4 cf the outer housing. This outlet opening l5 is normally alignedwith an inlet opening E6 in the standard II, opening into an inlet 'IIain a blower housing 'I'I containing a rotor 'I8 driven by a S-phaseexhaust motor 19. The blower housing TI has an outlet communicating witha suitable exhaust stack 80 (Fig. 15).

The inlet and outlet openings 61, 'I5 into the outer housing I2 are inalignment with the corresponding discharge and inlet openings 66, 'Ilain the inlet duct 65 and blower 'I'I, respectively, when the housing I2is in the drying position, such as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. When theouter housing I2 is tilted to the unloading or loading positionillustrated in Fig. 3, these openings are out of alignment, whichdisrupts communication between the housing I2 and the inlet conduit 65and exhaust fan 'I'I. Thus, the hot products of combustion are incapableof passing into the dryer housing I2 during its unloading, as well asduring its loading. Ordinarily, the completion of the drying cycleresults in the shutting olf of the combustion air motor 64 and of thegas line 6U, as described hereinafter, so as to discontinue theapplication of heat to the dryer. But if such application of heat wereto continue inadvertently, the laundry in the dryer could not be damagedby subjecting it to an inordinately high temperature.

It is desired to rotate the tumbler 2E alternately in oppositedirections during the performance of the drying operation with areversing cycle of a predetermined amount. It is also desired tocontinue reverse rotation of the tumbler, but to a substantially smallerextent, for the purpose of facilitating the unloading of the laundryfrom the tumbler after it has been dried. These operations are made tooccur in accordance with the position of the outer housing I2.

As disclosed in Fig. 12, the drum motor 4I is connected to a powersource through a reversible switch mechanism 8|, so as to obtainalternate operation of the motor, iirst in one direction and then in theother direction. The motor 4I disclosed in Fig. l2 is a 3-phase one,having its leads 62, 83, 84 running to a suitable switch 85 having threecontacts 86, 8l, B8. This switch 85 is operated fby a solenoid whoseplunger 8S carries the contacts, the plunger extending into a solenoidcoil 96. When the coil 90 is de-energized, the fonce of gravity causesthe plunger 8S to drop and breaks the engagement of the contacts 86, 8l,88 with companion stationary contacts 9 I, Q2, 93 connected to a S-phaseline a, b, c running to a suitable 3-pole switch 94, which, when closed,connects the lines a, b, c to a suitable source of power.

The reversing switch BI also includes a second solenoid having a plungerS5 carrying three contacts 9S, Sl, 93 adapted to engage Companionstationary contacts 93, IBB, EBI `connected to the 3- phase line. Themovable contacts 86, 8l', 88 and 95, Sl, 98 are interconnected and thefixed contacts SI, 92, 63 and 99, IDU, IEII are connected to the powerline a, b, c in such manner as to effect rotation of the reversible drummotor 4I in one direction when one of the solenoid coils 96 isenergized, and in the other direction when the other solenoid coil |62is energized. Thus, as shown in Fig. 12, the contacts SI, 92, Q3 of theleft hand switch are connected to lines a, bl, c, respectively, whilethe left contact $9 of the right hand switch is connected to line c, themiddle contact IBI! to line a, and the right Contact IIlI to the line b.The movable contacts are interconnected so as to join 'the left,intermediate and right contacts 85, 8l', 88 of the left switch 65 `withthe right, intermediate and left conta/cts 98, Q'I, Q6, respectively,ofthe right switch. It is apparent that when the left solenoid Si!) isenergized to elevate its plunger 89, the drum motor will be operated inone direction, but that de-energizing of this solenoid and energizing ofthe other solenoid E32 will reverse two of the lines to the inductionmotor 4I, thereby causing its direction of rotation to be reversed.

The energization of the solenoid coils 9U, HB2 is determined by aninduction timer motor 63, which rotates a pair of cams |64, H15 that areout of phase with each other. The circuit through the left relay coil 96can run through a lead H36 connected to power line c, through the coil9U, and then to a lead lill running to a movable arm IBB of a camoperated switch. This arm IUS is adapted to engage a fixed contact Itconnected by a suitable conductor Ill! to I II of a pair of stationarycontacts I I I, I I2 provided adjacent the outer housing I2. The otherstation- 7 ary contact ||2 is connected through a suitable conductor I3to power line b.

When the cam operated arm |08 is allowed to engage the stationarycontact |09, andy when the contacts |E2 adjacent the outer housing |2are bridged, a circuit is completed through the left solenoid coil 90.Similarly, the right solenoid or relay coil |02 is connected to the lead|05, its other end being connected to lead |I4 running to another camoperated switch arm I5 adapted to engage a contact ||6, which is alsoconnected to the lead running to the limit switch H2.

Opening and closing of the cam operated switches |08, occurs as a resultof rotation of the induction timer motor |03l Since the cams |04, |05are out of phase by about 180 degrees, when one cam` |04 shifts its arm|08 to open the switch and the circuit to one of the coils 90, the othercam |05, shortly thereafter, has shifted to a position permitting itsarm. ||5 to close the circuit to the other coil |02. Thus, the coils 95,|02 are alternately energized, which alternately changes the connectionsto the drum motor 4| and causes its direction of rotation to reverse. Itis preferred to have a time interval between opening of one switch andclosing of the other switch to enable the drum 25 to come substantiallyto rest before being rotated in the opposite direction.

The limit switch ||2 is normally urged to open position, as by asuitable spring and remains in this open position so long as the outerhousing |2 has been tilted fully to its unloading position. In all otherpositions of the outer housing, namely its drying position, as shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 4, and positions intermediate its drying position and thefully unloading position, the stationary contacts ||2 are bridged toallow the timer |33 to alternately complete the circuits to thesolenoids 90, |02. Thus, it is apparent that the drum motor 4| continuesto reverse so long as the timer motor |03 is operated, and as long asthe outer housing i2 has not been tilted to its full unloading position,such as disclosed in Fig. 3.

Operation of the limit switch I||, ||'2 is effected by connecting itsbridge piece ||8 to a rod ||9 engageable with a cam projection |20suitably secured on one of the side walls I4 of the outer housing l2.The end of the rod ||9 engages an arcuate cam surface |2|`, which isconcentric with the axis of the pivoted housing |2, to hold the limitswitch ||2 closed during the performance of the drying operation, andduring movement of the outer housing |2 toward unloading position. Whenthe housing has been tilted to fully unloading position, the rod H9 nolonger engages the arcuate cam surface I2 which allows the spring I1 toshift the bridge piece |`|8 from engagement with the stationary contacts||2, thereby preventing further reversing rotation of the inner drum 25.

It is also desired to obtain rotation of the combustion and exhaust fanmotors 64, 19, but only when the outer housing |2 is in its normaldrying position. The passage of current to these motors is under thecontrol of a relay |22, including a coil |23 that may be connectedacross two of the main power lines a, c. The circuit through the coil|23, however, is determined by a limit switch |24, including stationarycontacts |25, |23, one of which |25 is connected to a lead |2 running tothe coil |23, and the other of which |26 is connected to a conductor |28running to thepower line c. A lead |29 connects the other end of thecoil |23 to the other power line a. When a bridge piece |30 engages thestationary contacts |25, |26, the circuit through the coil |23 iscompleted. However, such engagernent will only occur when the outerhousing |2 is in the proper position for the performance of the dryingoperation. When in this position, a cam projection |3| on the housing I2engages a rod |32 connected to the bridge piece |"30and shifts thelatter downwardly against the action of a spring |33 into engagementwith the stationary contacts |25, |26. As soon as tilting of the outerhousing l2 toward its unloading position commences, the cam |3| permitsthe spring |33 to shift the bridge piece |30 and plunger |32 upwardly tobreak the circuit through the coil |23.

When the coil |23 is energized, it elevates a plunger |34, causing threecontacts |35 carried by the plunger to engage the stationary contacts|36 connected to the main power lines a, b, c. The movable contacts |35are connected through suitable leads |31 to the exhaust fan motor 19 andto the combustion air motor 64. Thus, upon shifting of the outer housing|2 to its drying position, the circuit through the solenoid |23 iscompleted, which elevates the plunger |34 to engage the movable contacts|35 with the stationary contacts |36 and completes the circuits to boththe exhaust fan motor 19 and the combustion motor 64, starting them intooperation.

When the circuit to the exhaust fan and combustion air motors 19, 64 arecompleted, a single phase circuit to the timer motor |03 is alsocompleted. Thus, one lead |38 from the timer motor may run to line b,while the other line |39 from the single phase timer motor runs to astationary contact |40 of a limit switch |4| which has a secondl contact|42 connected to a lead |43 running to power line a. The circuit throughthe timer motor |03 is completed When a bridge piece |44 on rod ||9engages contacts |40, |42. A suitable resistance |45 is connected inseries in one of the lines |39, in order to reduce the speedl of thetimer motor |03 during the performance of the drying operation, therebyincreasing the reversing cycle of the drum motor 4|, This resistance,however, may be shunted when tilting of the outer housing |2 to itsunloading position commences. To accomplish this last-mentioned purpose,a conductor |46 is connected to one end of the resistance |45 and runsto one of the stationary contacts |47 of a limit switch |48 locatedadjacent the outer housing |2. Similarly, the other end of theresistance is connected, through a conductor |49, to another stationarycontact |50 of the limit switch |48. When the bridge piece |5| of thelimit switch engages these contacts |41, |50, it is apparent that ashunt has been provided around the resistance |45, causing the timermotor |03 to run faster and reducing the period of energization of thereversing solenoid coils 90, |02. Thus, the reversing cycle is shortenedduring movement of the outer housing I2 toward its fully unloadingposition, so as to continue the tumbling action while the laundry isbeing caused to drop automatically from the inner drum 25 into asuitable car or container C that may operate on tracks T disposed on thefloor or ground.

The bridge piece |5| is urged away from the contacts |50, |41 by aspring |52, and is moved 9 into contact therewith by a cam |53 on thehousing |2 shifting a rod |54 downwardly, which rod is secured to thebridge piece of limit switch |48.

When the doors 45, 50 are open, a charge of wet or damp laundry may beplaced into the inner drum 25. The doors are then closed and latched,and air caused te enter the rod end of the cylinder in order to tilt theouter housing I2 to a position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, in which theinner drum axis is preferably horizontal. The main switch 94 is thenclosed, which effects energization of the exhaust fan and combustion airmotor coil |23, since the disposition of the outer housing l2 has causedthe limit switch |24 to bridge the contacts |25, |26. Such energizationcloses the exhaust fan and combustion air motor switch |22 and producestheir rotation. For that matter, the main switch S4 may remain closed,inasmuch as tilting of the housing I2 to the unloading positionillustrated in Fig. 3 will result in opening of the various circuits,and the rendering of the entire system inoperative. The manipulation ofthe air valve 24 to relocate the housing |2 in its normal dryingposition automatically effects operation of the various switches, andcommences operation of another drying cycle.

With the housing i2 in its normal operating position, the circuit to thetimer motor |03 is also completed, since limit switch |4| is closed, andsince the outer housing is in the position for the drying operation,limit switch |48 is open and the resistance |45 is effectively in thetimer motor circuit. As a result, the :timer motor |03 rotatescomparatively slowly, to correspondingly rotate the cams |04, |05connected to it. The limit switch ||2 controlling the circuits throughthe reversing switch mechanism 85 is also closed when the outer housingl2 is in this position. Accordingly, the cams |04, |05 alternately breakthe circuits to the reversing coils 90, |02, and cause the reversingswitches to alternately complete the circuit :to the drum motor 4|,

alternately effecting rotation of the inner tum-` bler or drum 25 firstin one direction and then in the other direction. As an example, thespeed of rotation of the timer motor |03 and the disposition of the cams|04, |05 may be such as to cause the drum motor 4| to rotate the drum 25eight to ten revolutions in one direction, and then eight to tenrevolutions in the opposite direction, in order to tumble the laundrydisposed within the inner drum 25. During such rotation, the inner door45 or door 45a: can rotate upon its bearing supporting pin 46 or 46a.

After the laundry has been dried and it is desired to unload it, air isfed into the head end of the cylinder which moves the piston IS upwardlyand tilts the outer housing i2 in its bearings I5. As soon as suc-htilting commences, the cam |3| is shifted to the iight, as shown in Fig.l2, which allows the spring |33 to open the limit switch |24 and thecircuit to the solenoid |23, which allows thel switch |22 to open andinterrupt the circuits to the combustion air and exhaust fan motors 64,10. This same initial tilting movement of the outer housing |2 alsocauses the cam |53 to close the limit switch |48, which shunts the timerresistance 45. As la result, the timer motor |03 rotates much faster andchanges the cycle of operation of the reversing drum motor 4|, effectingits reversal after fewer revolutions, as for example, after one or tworevolutions in each direction. Doors 45,

10 50 can be opened by unlatching the latch 5| and lifting the arm 41.With the doors 45, 50 open, and with the pneumatic motor i6 slowlytilting the outer housing I2 and the inner drum 25 contained therein,the latter is rotated first in one direction and then in the otherdirection to tumble the laundry and facilitate its disposition throughthe openings 2l, 49 and into the car` C.

As indicated, the pneumatic motor tilts the drum relatively slowly. Asan example, it may take about iifteen seconds for the drum 25 to betilted to its fully unloading position. When it has arrived at thisposition, all, or substantially all, of the laundry has already beendischarged from the inner drum 25, whereupon the cam |20 rides offplunger ||9 and allows the spring lll to open limit switches |4| and H2,breaking the circuit to the reversing switch coils 90, |52 and also thecircuit to the timer motor |53. All of the mechanism is now at rest, andwill remain at rest until another load of wet laundry is placed in theinner drum 25 and the drying operation reinstituted.

Heat is supplied to the dryer only upon the satisfaction of certainoperating conditions. The doors 45,50 must be fully closed, the inletconduit temperature must not be too high, the outlet stack temperaturemust be Ibelow a predetermined degree, and the reversing motor must bein operation. Otherwise, gas will not flow to the main burner 6|.

To accomplish these objectives, the main burner 6| is supplied by asuitable line 50, that has a solenoid operated valve |60 in it. When thecoil ||i| of the solenoid is energized, the valve |50 is opened;otherwise, it is closed. The solenoid |55 is connected in series with aswitch |52 mounted on the door mechanism of the dryer, which may be amercury switch that is closed only when the doors 45, 5H are latched inclosed position. In addition, the inlet conduit 55 may have a switch |63in series with the coil ISI, including a bimetallic arm |54 that engagesthe stationary contact |65 of the switch so long as the temperature inthe conduit 65 does not exceed a predetermined degree. If thetemperature rises above this amount, the bi-metallic element |54 williiex and open the switch |53. Similarly, the exhaust stack is providedwith a switch |55 in series with coil IGI, including a bi-metallic armll' adapted to engage a stationary contact |55, so long as the outlettemperature is below a predetermined value. When this temperature isexceeded, the bi-metallic arm |57 exes to open the switch |66.

The circuit through the main gas valve solenoid |6| falso includes arelay |59, comprising a pair of stationary contacts |10, and a bridgepiece |12 connected to a plunger V13 which is actuated upon passage ofcurrent through a coil |'|4. Thus, the circuit through the main valvesolenoid |6| runs from one or" the main power lines b through lead |'|5to one of the relay contacts through the bridge piece Il? to the otherrelay contact |10, and through a lead il to the door switch. The doorswitch |52, inlet duct switch |55, solenoid IBI, and exhaust stackswitch |63 are all connected in series with one another, and through alead Hl' to one of the other main power lines a. When the relay |65 is`energized, .the circuit to the main valve |55 will be completed.However, this relay |55 is only energized after the combustion air motor54, exhaust fan motor '19, and reversing drum motor 4| have been placedin oper-ation.

The relay coil |14 is connected to a lead |18 running to one of thelines |31 feeding current to the combustion motor 64. The other end ofthe relay coil is connected through a suitable lead I 19 to a stationarycontact |80, which is engageable by a bi-metallic thermostatic arm I8|that is connected by a lead |82 to one of the other lines |31 running tothe combustion air motor 64. The engagement of the bi-metallic arm I8Iwith the stationary contact v|80 is dependent upon the operation of thedrum reversing motor 4I. When the circuit to this motor is completed, aheating element |83, located adjacent the bi-metallic element |8I, isenergized. This resistance heating element has one end connected througha lead |84 to one of the conductors 83 to the drum motor 4|, while theother end of the heating element is connected through a suitable lead|85 to one of the other lines 82 leading to the drum motor. When eitherof the reversing switch portions are closed, current flows through theresistance heating element |83, heating the bi-metallc switch arm |8Iand causing it to engage the stationary contact |80, thereby completingthe circuit through the solenoid Assuming that the doors 45, 50 areclosed and the inlet and outlet gas temperatures are below their presetvalues, the closing of the main switch 94 will close the circuit to thecombustion air and exhaust fan motors 64, 19, which will commencerotating. The drum motor will also be set in operation because of therotation of the timer motor |03, which will also complete the circuit tothe heating element |83. This element will heat the bi-metallic arm ISI,causing it to close the circuit through the relay coil |14, which willthen complete the circuit through the main valve solenoid ISI, causingthe main valve |60 to open and allowing gas to flowto the main burner6|, where it is ignited by a pilot burner |86 and commences supplyingheat to the dryer. The heating element |83 introduces a time delaybetween the commencement of operation of the combustion air, exhaust,and reversing drum motors 64, 19, 4| and the opening of the main valve|60, insuring that all parts are in proper operation before heat isapplied. In the event that the circuit to the combustion air motor 64 isinterrupted, the relay |69 will also be de-energized, which willcle-energize the main valve coil I6I and cause the valve |60 to close.Thus, assurance is had that the main valve |60 can only be in openposition if the combustion air and exhaust fan motors 6'4, 19 areoperating, thereby insuring against excessive heating of the laundry inthe dryer. The main gas valve |60 is also controlled by the reversingdrum motor 4I, since it can only be opened to supply heat to the dryerwhen the laundry is being tumbled in the drum 25.

A flame may be established at the main burner by a pilot flame |81 atthe pilot burner |86, which is supplied with gas through a suitable line|88 having a solenoid operated pilot valve '|89 therein. The solenoidcoil |90 may be connected across two of the main power lines a, b, thepilot llame |81 being in existence so long as the main switch 94 isclosed. The pilot flame is established by an igniter in the form of aplug I 9I having one of its electrodes connected to ground and the otherof its electrodes connected through a suitable lead |92 to one end'ofthe 'secondary |93 of a transformer |94, whose other end `is connectedto ground. The primary coil |95 of the transformer has one end connectedthrough a suitable lead |96 to one of the mainpower lines a, and itsother end connected to a stationary contact |91 adapted to be engaged bya bi-metallic thermostatic switch arm |98, which is connected to anotherpower line b. When the pilot flame |81 is in existence, the bi-metallcarm |98 is deflected from the contact |91 to break the circuit throughthe primary coil of the transformer. Accordingly, a spark does not existacross the ignition plug electrodes. In the event that the pilot flameis extinguished, the 'bi-metallic element |93 exes into engagement withthe stationary contact |91, completing the primary coil circuit andcausing the spark to jump between the electrodes, which againestablishes the pilot flame.

In Figs. 14 and 15, a Amodiiied arrangement is illustrated forcontrolling lthe door closure member 45a shown in Fig. 11. This closurearrangement eliminates the need for hand manipulations in opening andclosing the door, as well as the use of latch mechanisms. Instead,opening and closing ofthe door 45a` is effected automatically inaccordance with the position of the outer housing I2.

As in the form of invention illustrated in Fig. 11, the door 45a isrotatably mounted upon a supporting arm 41 mounted on a fulcrum pin 48asuitably secured to the outer housing I2. The upper extension 41b ofthis supporting arm has spaced projections 41e, to which the ends oftension springs 2I0 are secured. The other ends of these springs .areattached to ears or lugs 2|I projecting from the housing, so that thesprings 2I0 normally tend to swing the door 45a to the partly openposition disclosed in Figs. 14 and 15.

In order to shift the door between fully open and fully closedpositions, and to hold the door in the latter position, a pneumaticdevice is provided. This pneumatic device includes an air cylinder 2|2having its rearward portion pivotally mounted on the upper part of thehousing I2. The cylinder has the usual piston therein (not shown) towhich the piston rod 2|3 is secured. The forward end of the piston rodis pin connected to an upward projection 2 I4 on the supporting arm 41,disposed between the outer extensions 41c. y

An air line 2I5 is connected between the air conduit 23.. running to therod end of the housing cylinder I1, and the head end of the doorcylinder 2I2. A second air conduit 2I6 is connected to lthe line 23running to the head end of the cylinder I1 `and to the rod end 0f thedoor cylinder 2 |-2 (see Fig. 15). When the manually operated valve 24is shifted, so as to cause air to enter the rod end of the housingcylinder I1 and tilt the housing I2 to its normal drying position. suchas shown in Figs. `1 and 2, air is also fed into the head end of thedoor cylinder 2|2, shifting its piston and piston rod 2|3 forwardly, andswinging the door 45a to closed position against the flange 51. So longas the -air pressure is maintained in the door cylinder 2|2, the door45a Ais held in closed position, without the need for Vany otherelements, such as the latch 5I, 52 shown in Fig. 11.

, When the manually operated valve 24 is shifted in the oppositedirection to feed air into 'the head end of the housing cylinder '|1,the latter effects tilting of 'the housing I2 toward its unloading andloading position shown "in Fig. 3. When air enters the conduit 23leading to 'the head end of the housing cylinder, it also enters theconduit 2&6 leading to the rod end of the door cylinder 242, the otherair conduit 215 from the door cylinder, of course, being exhausted.Accordingly, the piston and piston rod 2id move rearwardly, or to theright, as seen in Fig. 15, swinging the door to its fully open position.In Fig. 15, the door is disclosed in only a partly open position, and itis to be understood that when the piston is shifted in the cylinder Zito its fullest extent toward the right, the door is elevated completelyfree from the opening 21a.

By virtue of the arrangement shown in Figs. 14 and 15, movement of themanually operated valve 2d eiects automatic tilting of the outer housingi 2 between its drying position, on the one hand, and the unloading andloading positions, on the other hand, as Well as shifting of the door45d between open and closed positions. Opening of the door 45aautomatically disconnects the circuit to the solenoid IGI, and insuresprompt shutting off of the gas supply flowing through the conduit 60.Similarly, as has been described above, the initiation of the tiltingmovement of the housing I2 to unloading position disrupts the circuitsto the blower and exhaust fan motors G4, 19. It is evident that theoperation of the entire apparatus is under the control of the manuallyoperated Valve 24, which is the only part that need be manipulated bythe operator. f

When no air under pressure is present in either of the lines 215, 2i6leading to the door cylinder 2l2 and theyare open to exhaust, thesprings 2|0 swing the door 45a to the partially open position shown inFigs. 14 and 15. Thus, assurance is had that the drum 25 is ventedduring non-use of the apparatus, insuring against the entrapment of anygases and vapors there- Within.

The inventor claims:

l. In laundry apparatus; a support; an outer housing tiltably mounted onsaid support; an inner drum mounted in said housing for rotation aboutan axis disposed substantially at right angles to the tilting axis ofsaid housing; said drum and housing having openings substantiallyaligned with each other and with the drum axis; and closure meansmounted on said housing and adapted to close both of said openings; saidclosure means including a rst cover member for the drum and rotatablewith the drum, and a second cover member for the housing.

2. In laundry apparatus: an outer housing; an inner drum rotatablymountedv in said housing; reversible drive means for rotating said drumalternately in opposite directions by a predetermined angular amount;means for reducing the angular movement of said drum in each direction;and means for automatically effecting said reduction when laundry is tobe unloaded from said drum.

3. In laundry apparatus: a support; an outer housing tiltably mounted onsaid support; means for tilting said housing; an inner drum rotatablymounted in said housing about an axis substantially at right angles tothe tilting axis of said housing; reversible drive means carried by saidhousing for rotating said drum alternately in opposite directions; andmeans carried by the housing operable in response to the tilting of saidhousing for adjusting the extent of angular motion of said drum in eachdirection.

4. In laundry apparatus: a support; aii outer housing tiltably mountedon said support; means for tilting said housing; an inner drum rotatablymounted inA said housing about an axis substantially at right angles tothe tilting axis of said housing; said housing and drum having openingssubstantially aligned with each other and with the drum axis; closuremeans for at least one of said openings; reversible drive means carriedby said housing for rotating said drum alternately in oppositedirections by a predetermined angular extent When said housing is in oneposition; and means for reducing angular movement of said drum in eachdirection, operated when said housing begins to tilt to unload laundryfrom said drum'.

5. In laundry apparatus: a support; an outer housing tiltably mounted onsaid support; means for tilting said housing; an inner drum rotatablymounted in said housing about an axis substantially at right angles tothe tilting axis of said housing; said housing and drum having openingssubstantially aligned With each other and with the drum axis; closuremeans for at least one of said openings; reversible drive means carriedby said housing for rotating said drum alternately in oppositedirections by a predetermined angular extent when said housing is in oneposition; and means carried by said housing and operating in response tothe tilting of said housing for reducing the angular motion of said drumin each direction when said housing begins to tilt to unload laundryfrom said drum.

6. In laundry apparatus: a support; an outer housing tiltably mounted onsaid support; means for tilting said housing; an inner drum rotatablymounted in said housing about an axis substantially at right angles tothe tilting axis of said housing; said housing and drum having openingssubstantially aligned with each other and with drum axis; closure meansfor at least one of said openings; reversible drive means, including areversible electric motor, carried by said housing for rotating saiddrum alternately in ope posite directions; timing means controlling theapplication of current to said motor to eiect its reversal at periodicintervals; and means for adjusting the operation of said timing meansfor changing the intervals at which the direction of rotation of saidmotor is reversed.

7. In laundry apparatus: a support; an outer housing tiltably mounted onsaid support; means for tilting said housing; an inner drum rotatablymounted in said housing about an axis substantially at right angles tothe tilting axis of said housing; said housing and drum having openingssubstantially aligned vvith each other and with the drum axis; closuremeans for at least one of said openings; reversible drive means,including a reversible electric motor, carried by said housing iorrotating said drum alternately in opposite directions; timing meanscontrolling the application or current to said motor to effect itsreversal at periodic intervals when said housing is in one position; andmeans 'for adjusting the operation of said timing means for reducing theintervals at which the direction of rotation of said motor is reversed,operated when said housing begins to tilt to unload laundry from saiddrum.

8. In drying apparatus: a support; an outer housing tiltably mounted insaid support; means for tilting said housing; an inner perforate drumrotatably mounted in said housing about an axis substantially at rightangles to the tilting axis of said housing; said housing and drum havingopenings substantially aligned with each other and with the drum axis;closure means for vat least one of said openings; reversible drive meansincluding a reversible electric motor carried by said'housing 'forrotatingsald drum alternately in opposite directions; electrical timingmeans controlling the application of current to said motor to effect itsreversal at periodic intervals; means comprising an electric motor forcirculating a heating medium through said drum; and means having amember carried by said housing and cooperating control means operated bysaid member to effect operation of said vcirculating motor and of saidtiming means at a relatively slow rate when said housing is in itsnormal drying position, said control means being operated by said memberto discontinue operation of said circulating motor and to effectoperation of said timing means at a faster rate when said housing istilting from its normal drying position, said control means alsostopping said timing means to discontinue rotation of the reversiblemotor when said housing is tilted to its unloading position.

9. In laundry apparatus: an outer housing; means for tilting the housingabout an axis; a rotary perforated drum in the housing, the drum axisbeing transverse to the housing axis; means for rotating the drum; saiddrum having a tubular projection extending through an opening in thehousing; a cover for the projection; and a pivotal support for thecover.

10. In laundry apparatus: a tiltable outer housing; means for tiltingsaid housing about an axis; a drum in said housing and rotatable aboutan axis transverse to the tilting axis; said drum having a hollowextension projecting through an opening in the housing; an arm pivotedon the housing; and a cover rotatably mounted on the arm and cooperatingwith the edge of said extension for closing the drum.

11. In laundry apparatus: a tiltable outer housing; means for tiltingsaid housing about an axis; a drum in said housing and rotatable aboutan axis transverse to the tilting axis; said drum and housing havingaligned openings; a cover for at least one of the openings; an armpivoted to the housing for supporting said cover; spring means urgingthe arm to cover-opening position, and operating on that side of the armremote from the cover; and power means for moving the arm tocover-closing position.

12. In laundry apparatus: a tiltable housing; a rotary drum in thehousing; means for tilting the housing to an unloading position; anelectric motor for driving the drum; a circuit controller for saidmotor; and means carried by the housing for operating the circuitcontroller to maintain the motor energized except when the housing is infully tilted position.

13. In laundry apparatus; a tiltable housing;

a rotary drum in the housing; said housing having an opening; a door forthe opening; spring means for urging the door toward opening position;means for angularly moving the housing from a tilted position; means formoving the door toward closed position; and a common control for saidangularly moving means and the door closing means.

14. In laundry apparatus: a tiltable housing; a rotary drum in thehousing; said housing having an opening; a door for the opening; springmeans for urging the door toward opening position; fluid pressure meansfor moving the door toward closed position; iluid pressure means forangularly moving the housing from a tilted position; and a common vvalvemeans for controlling both said fluid'pressure means.

15. In laundry apparatus; a rotary drum; a reversible electric motor fordriving the drum; a circuit controller for cyclically reversing saidmotor; an auxiliary motor for operating the circuit controller; andmeans for adjusting the speed of said auxiliary motor.

16. In laundry apparatus: a rotary drum; means for tilting the drum toassume a charging and discharging position; a reversible electric motorfor driving the drum; a circuit controller for cyclically reversing saidmotor; an auxiliary motor for operating the circuit controller; andmeans .operated by the movement of the drum toward fully tilted positionfor increasing the speed of said auxiliary motor.

17. In laundry apparatus: a rotary drum; means for tilting the drum toassume a charging and discharging position; a reversible electric motorfor driving the drum; a circuit controller for cyclically reversing saidmotor; an auxiliary motor foroperating the circuit controller; meansoperated by the movement of the drum .toward fully tilted position forincreasing the speed of said auxiliary motor; and means operated by themovement of the drum to fully tilted position for deenergizing thereversible motor.

VFR/EDEMCK W. GRANTHAM.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,010,229 Bull' Nov. 28, 1911 1,027,796 Barnum May 28, 19121,567,709 Carroll Dec. 29, 1925 1,675,160 Carroll June 26, '19282,026,189 Purkett Dec. 31, 1935 2,119,337 Lockett May 31, 1938 2,133,170Johnson Oct. 11, 1938 2,239,029 Barrett Apr. 22, 1941 2,253,047 PurkettAug. '19, 1941 2,255,028 Long Sept. 2, 1941 2,312,936 Smith Mar. 2, 19432,314,748 White Mar. 23, 1943 2,486,315 Morris Oct. 25, 1949 2,498,172Mintner et al. Feb. 21, 1950

